Criminal Justice

WhatMatters

5 days for Newsom to decide 550+ bills

I’m back from a lovely vacation! Many thanks to my wonderful colleague Ben Christopher and other CalMatters reporters for guest hosting the newsletter while I was gone. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until midnight Friday to determine the fate of the more than 550 bills on his desk — or risk turning into a pumpkin. That […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 26, 2022

Justice

Rap lyrics on trial: Bill would limit prosecutors’ use of words and music as evidence

A bill before Gov. Gavin Newsom would force prosecutors to seek a judge’s approval to introduce rap lyrics to a jury.

By Nigel Duara • September 14, 2022

WhatMatters

California Legislature: Slouching towards end of session

California lawmakers have less than two weeks to wrap up their work before the end of the legislative session on Aug. 31. And so begins the final legislative traffic jam, as bills line up for final votes. A piece of legislation’s particular place in that line is the complex product of political horse-trading, the competing […]

By Ben Christopher • August 19, 2022

WhatMatters

Tough decisions loom for lawmakers, Newsom

In some ways, the suspense file that state lawmakers churned through on Thursday — a lengthy list of hundreds of bills that they either silently sent to their death or let survive another day — didn’t live up to its reputation. That’s because the secretive, twice-annual process — which allows legislators to shelve bills they […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 12, 2022

Justice

Bounty hunting: Foes of guns and abortion resurrect an old idea

Texas put a bounty on abortion providers and California did the same for illegal gun sales. But bounties have a long and troubled history — and critics say bringing them back is not a good idea.

By Nigel Duara • August 9, 2022

Justice

New police accountability laws up demands on state agencies

New state laws on police accountability are testing the limits of several agencies, including the Department of Justice, which say they need more resources for these new duties.

By Nigel Duara and Byrhonda Lyons • July 26, 2022

Justice

Stress relief or toxic exposure? State cautions ‘rage rooms’ may deliver unwanted release

State environmental experts worry that smashing old TVs, monitors and laptops in so-called ‘rage rooms’ may release hazardous waste or potentially harm customers’ health.

By Robert Lewis • July 25, 2022

Justice

Carrots but no stick: Participation in California drug courts has plummeted

Proposition 47 removed the threat of jail time for simple drug possession. Now participation in drug courts is way down.

By Nigel Duara • July 5, 2022

Commentary

Tying water access to labor in overcrowded prisons is wrong

The use of water as a weapon over California’s prisoners violates basic human decency — especially during a deadly pandemic.

By Guest Commentary • June 28, 2022

Commentary

California can find better ways of dealing with dying prisoners

Overly narrow criteria limit the number of seriously ill and dying people the courts can consider for compassionate release from prison. Assembly Bill 960 will ensure that sick and dying prisoners who do not pose a risk to public safety can be considered for release.

By Guest Commentary • June 22, 2022